Sunday at Nationals
After my short race on Saturday, Sunday at Nationals was going to be all about watching the Elite Men and Women. Cory had brought her bike along on the trip to do some riding. But, somewhere along the way she built up the nerve to enter the Elite Women's race.
We ate lunch Saturday and made our way over to registration, thirty minutes before they closed. She had to be one of the last, if not THE last, women to enter since there was no "day of" registration. Cory seemed seemed a tiny bit nervous about jumping into a race where the big fish swim. How could she not be a little nervous lining up with Katie Compton. Sure, they were separated by about 10 rows of cyclists, but still. Regardless, Cory was taking a great attitude and just hoping to beat one person and not get pulled after one lap. Talk about realistic goals.
After everyone was lined up, the referees started the countdown. Two minutes... One minute... One fan began chanting "Katherine, Julie(?), Katherine, Julie..." Fans began to bang the sideboards and cheering. You couldn't help but feel the excitement build. I looked over at Cory and saw her say "Shit!" and a few seconds later they were on the way.
I ran to the pits with Cory's spare wheels as best I could, through the crowds of people and trudged through the mud bog that was the pit area, looking for a spot where I wouldn't be getting in the way of others. Katie came by, the Cannondale ladies went by and lots of others came streaming past as well. I had that brief moment of concern, hoping there were no incidents but eventually Cory came into view as they circled the soccer field. And... she was not last and was plugging away just fine ahead of three others. I got a little emotional. Up the hill she went and out of view until the next pit passthrough.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net
She came by, still holding her place although one rider slipped by after a slight bobble in the twisty, rutted muddy section and then back out of sight she went.
Katie Compton was flying and now my concern was that the officials not have too much of a trigger finger about pulling riders and that Cory get to ride another lap.
Several minutes passed but eventually here she came, and the tears welled up a little in my eyes knowing Cory was loving this. No one was behind her anymore but, as she came by, she said she had crashed a little which explained her position. Up the hill she went as I waited nervously for her to come through a second time. I kept looking up to the top of the hill for the long descent. There she appeared, still ahead of Katie. Cory dropped out of view for a minute or so as she negotiated the barriers, then came Katie at the top of the hill. Cory came over a little rise high-fiveing the fans and having a blast with a big smile on her face. Past the pits she rode with Katie gaining fast. A couple turns later, the inevitable happened as Compton roared past and the race would be over at the end of the lap with Compton having 2 laps to go.
We found each other after the race and Cory was flying high and over the top happy. What a great thing to see. We still had the Elite Men to watch, which turned to be a great race. But, for me, nothing topped seeing Cory so happy about just being out there and having a great time on the bike.
We ate lunch Saturday and made our way over to registration, thirty minutes before they closed. She had to be one of the last, if not THE last, women to enter since there was no "day of" registration. Cory seemed seemed a tiny bit nervous about jumping into a race where the big fish swim. How could she not be a little nervous lining up with Katie Compton. Sure, they were separated by about 10 rows of cyclists, but still. Regardless, Cory was taking a great attitude and just hoping to beat one person and not get pulled after one lap. Talk about realistic goals.
After everyone was lined up, the referees started the countdown. Two minutes... One minute... One fan began chanting "Katherine, Julie(?), Katherine, Julie..." Fans began to bang the sideboards and cheering. You couldn't help but feel the excitement build. I looked over at Cory and saw her say "Shit!" and a few seconds later they were on the way.
I ran to the pits with Cory's spare wheels as best I could, through the crowds of people and trudged through the mud bog that was the pit area, looking for a spot where I wouldn't be getting in the way of others. Katie came by, the Cannondale ladies went by and lots of others came streaming past as well. I had that brief moment of concern, hoping there were no incidents but eventually Cory came into view as they circled the soccer field. And... she was not last and was plugging away just fine ahead of three others. I got a little emotional. Up the hill she went and out of view until the next pit passthrough.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.netShe came by, still holding her place although one rider slipped by after a slight bobble in the twisty, rutted muddy section and then back out of sight she went.
Katie Compton was flying and now my concern was that the officials not have too much of a trigger finger about pulling riders and that Cory get to ride another lap.
Several minutes passed but eventually here she came, and the tears welled up a little in my eyes knowing Cory was loving this. No one was behind her anymore but, as she came by, she said she had crashed a little which explained her position. Up the hill she went as I waited nervously for her to come through a second time. I kept looking up to the top of the hill for the long descent. There she appeared, still ahead of Katie. Cory dropped out of view for a minute or so as she negotiated the barriers, then came Katie at the top of the hill. Cory came over a little rise high-fiveing the fans and having a blast with a big smile on her face. Past the pits she rode with Katie gaining fast. A couple turns later, the inevitable happened as Compton roared past and the race would be over at the end of the lap with Compton having 2 laps to go.
We found each other after the race and Cory was flying high and over the top happy. What a great thing to see. We still had the Elite Men to watch, which turned to be a great race. But, for me, nothing topped seeing Cory so happy about just being out there and having a great time on the bike.
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